Configuring the SNMP Master Agent

Once you have enabled the master agent and enabled a subagent on a host computer, you need to configure the host’s Administration Server. In this configuration, you specify community strings and trap destinations.

Configuring the Community String

A community string is a text string that an SNMP agent uses for authorization. A network management station sends a community string with each message it sends to the agent. The agent can then verify whether the network management station is authorized to get information. Community strings are not concealed when sent in SNMP packets. Strings are sent in ASCII text.

You can configure the community string for the SNMP master agent from the Set SNMP Master Agent Community page in the Administration Server. You also define which SNMP-related operations a particular community can perform. From the Administration Server, you can also view, edit, and remove the communities you have already configured.

Configuring Trap Destinations

An SNMP trap is a message the SNMP agent sends to a network management station. For example, an SNMP agent sends a trap when an interface’s status has changed from up to down. The SNMP agent must know the address of the network management station so it knows where to send traps. You can configure this trap destination for the SNMP master agent from Proxy Server. You can also view, edit, and remove the trap destinations you have already configured. When you configure trap destinations using Proxy Server, you are actually editing the CONFIG file.